Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

PipneyJane

Gem-gem said:

PipneyJane said:

Brie said:

Meanwhile I've realised that I'm officially old as most of the youngsters at work seem to thing that every meal comes in a packet and it either has to all be eaten or thrown away!   But they always ask me what I'm having for lunch as my leftovers always smell so tasty! 

Welcome to my world.  

We’ve recently moved into a new office, in the middle of of a field.  While most of us are working from home several days a week, when I am in the office, it seems as if I am the only person who brings in a homemade lunch to microwave.

- Pip

When I worked for my last employer, there was two of us in the team who would bring our own lunches in. The rest use to go and buy it from the cafe on the site. I always worked on the basis that I go to work to earn money, not to spend it at work. 

Also, when I am travelling for work, I will always pack what I need for the journey and not buy food items from the stalls/kiosks in the stations. 

In my old job, I used to regularly take the train up to Manchester to visit colleagues.  I worked out very quickly that it was cheaper to travel First Class, get fed and get the free WiFi than it was to travel standard class but to buy a drink and the WiFI separately. That also meant I could work on the way up/prepare for my meetings.  I'd travel back standard class, because I could rarely get a cheap First Class ticket home.

On one memorable occasion, my entire department went to Manchester for a training session.  They all insisted on fly from Heathrow, while I took the train from Watford, travelling First Class as usual.  I beat them to the office by 3/4 hour and my journey was cheaper than theirs.

- Pip

Uniscots97

Primrose said:

I'm not sure why people so hate avocado bathrooms! .  We,ve had one for 45 years and as long as it's still functional I'm happy to keep it.  White will surely go out of fashion again when bathroom manufacturers see their profits start lagging and want to encourage those people with more money than sense to start refitting their bathrooms with a new range of fashionable colours, although I'm sure chocolate brown will never tick too many boxes ! 

I think that saving the planet's resources is now more important than worrying what our friends or neighbours think about our bathroom colour.  I guess this is one of the uncomfortable new realities that we all need to start confronting about the way in which we spend our money.  

Maybe "mix and match" bathrooms will gradually become fashionable as people just decide to replace only those items which actually become unfunctionable rather than replacing everything although I suspect it will be hard to change the habits of a generally economically affluent nation.

I'm with you, it all works so why replace it now? 

balabooberlies

My very good friend, that has excellent taste (in my humble opinion) kept the 1970's ish avocado bathroom suite, tiles and all.  I love it !

bala

fionaandphil

In my old job, I used to regularly take the train up to Manchester to visit colleagues.  I worked out very quickly that it was cheaper to travel First Class, get fed and get the free WiFi than it was to travel standard class but to buy a drink and the WiFI separately. That also meant I could work on the way up/prepare for my meetings.  I'd travel back standard class, because I could rarely get a cheap First Class ticket home.

On one memorable occasion, my entire department went to Manchester for a training session.  They all insisted on fly from Heathrow, while I took the train from Watford, travelling First Class as usual.  I beat them to the office by 3/4 hour and my journey was cheaper than theirs.

- Pip

My husband worked this out too, it was often cheaper to book first class than standard class.  He travelled so frequently that he also became entitled to their frequent traveller card and we got free travel at the weekends for over a year.  We visited family in Scotland much more regularly!

Gem-gem

PipneyJane said:

Gem-gem said:

PipneyJane said:

Brie said:

Meanwhile I've realised that I'm officially old as most of the youngsters at work seem to thing that every meal comes in a packet and it either has to all be eaten or thrown away!   But they always ask me what I'm having for lunch as my leftovers always smell so tasty! 

Welcome to my world.  

We’ve recently moved into a new office, in the middle of of a field.  While most of us are working from home several days a week, when I am in the office, it seems as if I am the only person who brings in a homemade lunch to microwave.

- Pip

When I worked for my last employer, there was two of us in the team who would bring our own lunches in. The rest use to go and buy it from the cafe on the site. I always worked on the basis that I go to work to earn money, not to spend it at work. 

Also, when I am travelling for work, I will always pack what I need for the journey and not buy food items from the stalls/kiosks in the stations. 

In my old job, I used to regularly take the train up to Manchester to visit colleagues.  I worked out very quickly that it was cheaper to travel First Class, get fed and get the free WiFi than it was to travel standard class but to buy a drink and the WiFI separately. That also meant I could work on the way up/prepare for my meetings.  I'd travel back standard class, because I could rarely get a cheap First Class ticket home.

On one memorable occasion, my entire department went to Manchester for a training session.  They all insisted on fly from Heathrow, while I took the train from Watford, travelling First Class as usual.  I beat them to the office by 3/4 hour and my journey was cheaper than theirs.

- Pip

I sometimes have to travel to Birmingham - I was talking to a colleague the other day, who does the same - goes first class on a slightly slower train - and get a nice breakfast - which is cheaper than second class on the fast train. 

Gem-gem

tboo said:

Like last year I have been saving the brown paper that comes in the larger delivery boxes to use as Christmas wrapping paper.

To get it out of the way I am now in the process of wrapping the prezzies acquired during the last few months.

Not bought many as the family want money mainly. (which is why I have been saving in the jar)

Last two years, all the Christmas present were wrapped up with recycled paper from previous years. 

This year, I have used our final roll of Christmas wrapping paper that I bought several years ago. All presents are now wrapped - many of my family have asked for money which has resulted in us using less than one roll. 

Last year, I bought a brown paper roll. This is what will will use for from now on as it can be recycled. 
My presents from DH are wrapped in draw string bags. This year, I wrapped my brothers birthday present in a cloth bag, he looked at me as if I was weird. I told him to keep it and return it at Christmas with my present in it. Small steps...

monnagran

I'm so pleased that I'm not the only Scrooge when it comes to wrapping paper.  My boys still remember being made to open presents VERY carefully, and me ironing this year's paper in preparation for next year's presents.

Brown paper can look very festive if you  make a star template and paint gold stars all over it.
Grandchildren are quite useful for this little job

Sallygirl

I have always saved the wrapping paper from Christmas presents and reused it. My family think I am mad but I am quietly saving pennies and the planet in my own way.

Primrose

I think we all have to keep telling ourselves that every tiny step we all make towards saving the planet makes a difference.  The more it becomes a collective habit hopefully the more people will join in.  As always it needs people to make themselves a visible example to encourage others.

Primrose

Does anybody on here have some tips please for preventing shelled nuts from going rancid?
We tend to make up a bulk jumbo jars of muesli with nuts in for convenience but the contents  of our current jar have suddenly started to taste very stale and rancid and it seems to be the nuts which are affecting all the other ingredients.  (Not helped by the fact that it doesn,t get eaten every day so can go a little stale.)
We have all the ingredients in the cupboard for making it up anyway so we make it in bulk as as a timesaver but it obviously seems that nuts can be a bit of a pollutant.